Ugly Talk: Seed and Pre-Seed Investors Panel

Think you’re ready to raise? Think again. This event is where seasoned investors reveal what founders really get wrong when pitching, negotiating, and closing their first rounds. From rookie missteps to repeated red flags, learn what turns investors off—and what makes them lean in.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

The Pitch Problems: Discover what most founders overcomplicate, overlook, or miss entirely in their deck and delivery. Investor Red Flags: Understand how small signals can derail your entire round. Relationship Dynamics: Learn the follow-up, the updates, and even the ghosting—find out what behavior builds investor trust (and what burns bridges fast).

🎤 Who’s on the Panel Andrew Ackerman - Head of REACH Labs, Second Century Ventures

Andrew is a serial entrepreneur turned early stage investor and innovation expert. He has invested in over 70 startups over the past 2 decades. Andrew is currently the Strategic Advisor & Head of REACH Labs for Second Century Ventures, consults on corporate innovation strategies (CVC, accelerators, venture studios, etc.), and is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship. He was previously Managing Director at Dreamit Ventures where he launched and built both their Edtech and Urbantech (Proptech and Construction) verticals.